Report Safety

AGS Safety Working Group: November 2017 Meeting Update

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The final AGS Safety Working Group meeting of 2017 took place on 14th November 2017 in London and the Safety Leader, Adam Latimer of Ian Farmer Associates, has provided an update on the top three current issues the Safety Working Group are discussing.

Trial Pitting Guidance
Trial Pitting has been a staple tool used within the ground investigation industry to obtain good material descriptions, samples and test data. However, with numerous changes in legislation (e.g. working at height regulations), we need to ask ourselves whether the current methodology is still fit for purpose or whether we need to totally rethink trial pitting across the industry. The AGS Guidance on Trial Pitting is regularly reviewed by the Safety group and is one of the most popular downloads by AGS Members. The group are also working on the publication of an article specifically on trial pitting, which will be in a future issue of the AGS Magazine. The AGS Guidance for the Safe Excavation of Trial Pits can be downloaded here.

Safety Alerts/Near Misses
As an industry the reporting of safety alerts, near misses and accidents remains low compared to other industries. This vital information will allow both the AGS and wider industry to continue to improve in respect of H&S performance and awareness. We actively encourage AGS Members to report any safety alerts and near misses to the AGS so we can share learnings across the wider audience. As an industry, we all need to work collaboratively to improve H&S awareness.

Increasing Participation in the Safety Working Group
The Safety Working Group are a small and dynamic team, but they would like to increase member participation in the group, which is vital to maintain a fresh and vibrant approach to H&S topics. The Safety Working Group produces numerous guidance documents which are free to download to Members which can be viewed here. If you wish to be part of the AGS Safety Working Group, please contact the AGS Secretariat by emailing ags@ags.org.uk.

Report Business Practice

Business Practice Working Group: November 2017 Meeting Update

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The mission of the AGS Business Practice Working Group (BPWG) is to address and, where appropriate, improve the business practices of not only the Association, but the general geotechnical and geoenvironmental community. Led by John Talbot, the BPWG takes a lead in promoting the AGS and enhancing its membership with the aim of regenerating the AGS and increasing its overall reach.

The group had its last meeting of the year on 23rd November in London, and is currently focusing efforts on the review & reform of the AGS and marketing;

Review & Reform of the AGS
Having made huge progress in reforming the working practices of the AGS over the last two years, the Group is working on this initiative to increase awareness of the Association through the AGS’ social media channels (Twitter and LinkedIn) and through the ongoing rejuvenation of the AGS website. Since January 2017, the AGS has seen a 30% increase in Twitter followers and 27% increase in LinkedIn followers.

The AGS is also working to increase the number of seminars it holds year on year. In 2017, we organised a Geotechnical Data Conference at the National Motorcycle Museum, which saw attendance from over 140 delegates. In 2018, we’ll be holding our annual Members’ Day event and a Ground Risk event in London this September.

Marketing of AGS to the Wider Geotechnical Community
This initiative started last year and is starting to gather momentum, thanks to the drafting of the AGS Business and Marketing Plans and the launch of AGS Magazine.

This is the second issue of AGS Magazine, which has a huge reach of 6,000 subscribers across the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry. I’m sure this figure will continue to rise month on month.

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GE article on AGS Geotechnical Working Group

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Neil Chadwick, AGS Geotechnical Working Group Leader, recently spoke to Ground Engineering about the aims and focuses of the new Working Group which was set up in 2017. The article can be found here.

If you are interested in joining the Geotechnical Working Group, please contact the AGS Secretariat at ags@ags.org.uk

Article News Business Practice Contaminated Land Data Management Executive Laboratories Loss Prevention Safety

AGS Magazine – January/February issue

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The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the January/February issue of their new bi-monthly publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click HERE.

This free, bimonthly publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;

Expert Perspective on Contaminated Land – Page 10
Not all Office Insurance is the same – Page 14
Preventing Lyme Disease – Page 16
Q&A with Sally Hudson from Coffey Geotechnics – Page 18
AGS Guidance: Domestic Basement Construction – Page 22
Working Group Focus: Business Practice & Safety – Page 28

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

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The IES Land Condition Symposium

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The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) are holding Land Condition Symposium in London on the 8th March 2018.

Are you an expert practitioner, remediator, consultant, academic, researcher, or a central, regional or local government officer working in land condition? Then this event is for you.

This one-day technical symposium will focus on knowledge exchange, debate and discussion addressing topical issues at the centre of land condition.

The confirmed speakers include:
1. Claire Dickinson, Director at Geo-Environmental Matters Ltd
2. Harry Burchill, Planning Policy Officer at RTPI
3. Nicola Harries, Project Director at CL:AIRE
4. Peter Atchison, Managing Director at PAGeotechnical Ltd
5. Eric Dede, Research Engineer at University of Reading

Download the programme and see the full list of eminent speakers presenting at this event.
To book your place for the event, please click here.
Sponsorship and Exhibitor spaces are available at this event, visit the IES website for more information.

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AGS Ground Risk Conference: Call for Speakers

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The AGS is organising a conference on ground risk, which will investigate the current risks associated within the geotechnical and geoenvironmental sector.

This full day event will take place at London’s Cavendish Conference Centre on Wednesday 12th September and will be open to both members and non-members of the AGS.

If you’d like to submit a speaker proposal of geotechnical or geoenvironmental interest, please email ags@ags.org.uk before Friday 23rd February.

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CIRIA Events 2018

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CIRIA are holding the following events in 2018:

Asbestos from soil awareness – UKATA approved
This course will provide ground workers and other site operatives to deal with asbestos from soil in a safe, cost effective and legal way. The training is based on CIRIA new report C765 Asbestos in soil and made ground – good practice site guide and could be considered as ‘information, instruction and training’ or ‘awareness training’ to satisfy Regulation 10 of Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012 (CAR 2012).

7 Feb 2018 – Birmingham
20 Feb 2018 – Bristol
19 April 2018 – Glasgow
16 May 2018 – Exeter
20 June 2018 – Belfast
4 July 2018 – Kent


Training for non-licensed work for asbestos in the ground
This course is aimed at ground workers and other site operatives who manage and disturb asbestos contaminated soil (ACS) directly as part of their work (including site investigation, ground investigation etc). The training will be counted as ‘additional training’ required for non-licensed work by providing guidance in identification of asbestos contaminated materials and what to do with planned and unplanned discovery of asbestos on site.

8 Feb 2018 – Birmingham
21 Feb 2018 – Bristol
20 April 2018 – Glasgow
17 May 2018 – Exeter
21 June 2018 – Belfast
5 July 2018 – Kent

Article Safety

Change for Safety – Balfour Beatty

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Balfour Beatty have created a video called ‘Change for Safety’.

Click here to view the video.

If you have any safety alerts you think AGS members would benefit from please forward them to the AGS Secretariat at ags@ags.org.uk. Please note Safety Alerts provided to the AGS will be shared among all members and made available on the website for visitors.

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AGS Members’ Day 2018: sponsorship opportunities

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We’re pleased to announce that AGS Members’ Day is taking place on Wednesday 11th April 2018 at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham.

This full day seminar is open to both members and non-members of the AGS and sees approximately 150 geotechnical and geoenvironmental consultants, contractors, solicitors and insurance company representatives in attendance. The day features summaries from each of our seven working groups, looking at the work they have accomplished over the past 12 months, and also a series of external presentations from industry experts on topics relevant to our industry, such as a client’s view on site investigation, sustainable remediation, EC7 and communicated geosciences.

This year we have three sponsorship opportunities available;

PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP*
• Company logo on each attending delegates lanyard
• Half page advert in AGS Magazine**
• Entry for two delegates into the event
• A designated area (6ft x 2.5ft) to exhibit company initiatives, research and software. This exhibition space can also showcase marketing materials, literature and banners
• Company logo on the event PowerPoint presentation holding slide
• Company logo and overview on the event programme
• Company overview on the AGS website
• Two announcements of your company’s involvement on the AGS Twitter page
• Announcement of your company’s involvement on the AGS’ LinkedIn page
*One package available only
**terms and conditions apply

GOLD SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
• Entry for two delegates into the event
• A designated area (6ft x 2.5ft) to exhibit company initiatives, research and software. This exhibition space can also showcase marketing materials, literature and banners
• Company logo on the event PowerPoint presentation holding slide
• Company logo and overview on the event programme
• Company overview on the AGS website
• Announcement of your company’s involvement on the AGS Twitter page
• Announcement of your company’s involvement on the AGS’ LinkedIn page

SILVER SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE
• Entry for one delegate into the event
• Company logo on event PowerPoint Presentation holding slide
• Company logo on the event programme
• Company overview on the AGS website
• Announcement of your company’s involvement on the AGS Twitter page

Special rates for members of the AGS apply.

For price points and further information please email Caroline Kratz on ags@ags.org.uk

Report Laboratories

AGS Laboratories Working Group: October 2017 Meeting Update

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The final AGS Laboratories Working Group meeting of the year took place on 17th October 2017 in London and the Laboratories Leader, Dimitris Xirouchakis of Structural Soils, has provided an update on the top three current issues the Laboratories Working Group are discussing.

Incorporation of the published EN and ISO standards to BS 1377, update of the chemical test methods in BS 1377 and the addition of rock testing methods to BS
Soil test methods in BS 1377:1990 are being replaced by the equivalent BS EN 17892 series. Despite the similarities, small differences exist and AGS members need to educate themselves and their clients, as the new tests will eventually appear in project specifications in the UK and potentially abroad, e.g. Middle East. Furthermore, any practical or nominal updates to BS 1377 will increase its applicability. The group believe the AGS need to adapt fast to the new technical standards being published.

Raise the profile and training and certification of laboratory technicians in geotechnical laboratories
This issue is important to the group as any effort to formalise the on-the-job training received by site and laboratory technicians, as is the case for engineers and geologists, will improve the services offered. The training can be improved by offering or supporting online training by partnering with other professional organisations or universities.

To increase participation in the Laboratories Working Group
Member participation of Laboratories Working Group meetings has waned recently even though many AGS member companies have laboratories. Testing services are an important component to AGS activities and strong participation to the Laboratory Working Group should reflect that. If you wish to attend AGS Laboratories Working Group meetings, please contact the AGS Secretariat by emailing ags@ags.org.uk.

Report Contaminated Land

Contaminated Land Working Group: October 2017 Meeting Update

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The AGS Contaminated Land Working Group, led by Vivien Dent (RSK) met on 11th October in London for their final meeting of the year. The group are currently focusing their efforts on three primary issues;

WASTE CLASSIFICATION IN SOILS – A PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE
The Group feel there is uncertainty as to how to assess soils from construction sites. By producing the AGS stance on waste classification of soils, a unified approach across the industry can be adopted.

The Working Group have created an initial draft document which is currently being circulated for comment.

POSSIBLE UPDATES TO THE AGS COVER SYSTEM DOCUMENT
As the AGS/BRE/NHBC cover system document is over 13 years old, it is no longer used as much as it was. The Contaminated Land Working Group therefore feel that updates are required to bring the cover system up to date with current practices.

After reviewing the results of a questionnaire which was issued to Local Authorities, the Working Group have decided to compile a guidance note with updates, to make the document relevant once again. This will be a major focus for the Group in 2018.

GUIDELINES TO GOOD PRACTICE IN GEOENVIRONMENTAL GROUND INVESTIGATION
Where the standard of ground investigation varies greatly, the AGS would like to promote best practice and raise the standard of ground investigation where needed.

The Contaminated Land Working Group have therefore drafted a document to allow members to see where improvements can be made in relation to their own work. This draft document will be ready for circulation in due course.